I am writing in response to the Feb. 4 Community Commentary regarding the independent investigation of the close out of the Dover Schools’ FY12 budget. I hope that I can clarify any inaccurate assumptions or conclusions and allow our superintendent peace of mind and the ability to run the district with the openness and transparency she has used since she became the district’s leader.

As the Dover School Board is the collective employer of the superintendent and accusations were made against her, it was entirely appropriate for the School Board to investigate the allegations. The City Council has no more authority over the superintendent than the School Board has over the city manager. The City Council has the finally decision on the amount of money the school district is allowed to spend. They do not have the authority to decide how it is spent. That is precisely why a School Board is elected. The fiscal records are available online for anyone to view and are discussed at monthly board meetings. There has not been any attempt by the superintendent or the board to conceal monies.

The author of the commentary stated the School Board used the wrong attorney. Attorney Loughman is an expert in New Hampshire school law. Ms. Loughman represents schools in New Hampshire, however, she does not and has not represented our superintendent or school board. Her expertise in this area made her an excellent choice for the investigation.

The investigation clearly concluded that no wrong doing was committed by the superintendent, any school staff, or any school board member. The author asked: Did the school board or any of its administrators violate any rules, laws, or policies regarding the expenditure of unencumbered funds? This question was answered in the last paragraph on page 6 of the report:

“Based on the foregoing, I find the Administration complied with the fiscal policies and procedures of the School Board and the Charter ... Where required, separate approval was obtained from the Board either in the form of awarding competitive bids at the June 11, 2012 and June 18, 2012 school board meetings or by approval of purchases for which the bid policy had been waived (CTC and SOPHOS).”

The author is correct that FY12 monies cannot be rolled over into the FY13 budget. Remaining funds cannot be used to prepay utilities or to pay salary. It can, however, be used to purchase curriculum, technology, equipment, and safety items which are used over a period of several years. The board approved the purchased curriculum. The board approved the technology plan. The items purchased for safety were also board approved. As has been explained multiple times, the only reason these purchases could be made and that any funds remained is due to the diligent fiscal management provided by our business administrator and superintendent. They were well aware of the potential of a significant loss of revenue and intentionally withheld several planned purchases until the end of the year when all other expenses had been covered. Good fiscal management is not illegal.

The unencumbered funds were clearly in the district’s accounts. The funds appeared on the end of quarter report for anyone to see. The funds were not hidden, they were carefully managed. These funds could be spent in exactly the manner in which they were spent as stated in the quote above. I do find it interesting that the City Council’s budget had slightly more than $5 million dollars remaining on the exact same day yet no one has accused the city manager or city council of wrong doing or of withholding information about a surplus. Perhaps, because it was not a surplus in either budget and the information was not withheld. With 3 months remaining in the fiscal year, one would hope that accounts would have a positive balance. It is certainly my hope that through careful fiscal management, we will be able to provide our students and our city the services we all need every year.

Finally, the chair feels, as do I, that this matter has been put to bed. The board, the superintendent, and an independent investigator have all provided evidence proving no wrong doing occurred. Everyone must accept the facts and move forward. I ask that our superintendent, a valued district employee for more than two decades, be treated with respect. Too much time and energy has been wasted on this discussion. I do hope an apology will one day be given to our superintendent, publicly or privately, an apology is owed.